Rebel Records Releases Kentucky Troubadour: The Rebel Collection, from Don Rigsby.
Rebel Records has announced the release of Kentucky Troubadour: The Rebel Collection, a 15-song Best of Don Rigsby compilation documenting his recorded output for Rebel in the first quarter of this century.
For four decades, Don Rigsby’s distinctive voice and masterful musicianship have been an integral part of bluegrass as we know it, and Kentucky Troubadour: The Rebel Collection arrives as a must-have anthology spotlighting Rigsby’s incomparable Rebel Records catalog and transformative journey from ensemble player to commanding bluegrass statesman.
Primarily drawing from his solo albums Hillbilly Heartache and The Voice of God, this compilation includes standout tracks such as Hillbilly Heartache, Any Bar in Birmingham, The Gospel According to Luke, and his stirring rendition of Kentucky Waltz. In addition, the collection features fresh re-recordings, pre-Rebel, of two Rigsby favorites, Empty Old Mailbox and Bad Day in Akron. With soaring harmonies and driving rhythm, the sole new single, Big Train, transforms a Don Reno & Bill Harrell recording into something entirely fresh. These three recordings are exclusive to this release.
In addition to choice cuts from Rigsby the bandleader, Kentucky Troubadour also includes highlights from a number of prominent all-star groups that he was an integral part of. These include: Longview with I Heard My Mother Weeping, Band of Ruhks with My Ol’ Tattoo. and Rock County.
Notably, the two Rock County tracks, Harvest of My Heart and Mary Jane Won’t You Be Mine, are being released digitally for the first time.
Fans can preview and download the new album here.
A Don Rigsby collection would not be complete without selections from 2013’s Doctor’s Orders, Rigsby’s tribute to his mentor Dr. Ralph Stanley. Included are Wild Geese Cry Again and a duet with Stanley himself on Daughter of Geronimo. Rigsby’s deep connection to the Stanley sound has shaped his own music and earned him a place alongside fellow Eastern Kentucky legends Ricky Skaggs and Keith Whitley on the Country Music Highway.
I’m very proud of my catalog, grateful for so many years and friendships and opportunities to grow. The business is constantly changing, but the art remains the same – Don Rigsby.
Whether leading a band, collaborating with bluegrass greats, or honoring his roots, Don Rigsby has remained one of the most recognizable voices in bluegrass. Kentucky Troubadour: The Rebel Collection is a testament to his enduring influence, authenticity, and the timeless quality of his music.
About Don Rigsby:
Don Rigsby
Don Rigsby’s mountain soul has been part of the fabric of bluegrass music for the last four decades. Rigsby has held many roles over his professional career — bandleader, solo artist, and collaborator.
The Eastern Kentucky native worked with legendary groups like The Bluegrass Cardinals, J.D. Crowe & The New South, The Charlie Sizemore Band, and even Vern Gosdin’s road band before joining the Lonesome River Band in the mid-nineties and becoming a part of the bluegrass supergroup Longview at the end of the decade.
Currently performing with Balsam Range, Southern Legacy, and his own band, The Fly-By Knights, Don Rigsby’s lifelong pursuit of authenticity and craftsmanship have made him indispensable to the very sound of the genre.
About Rebel Records:
Rebel Records is the leading independent record label dedicated to promoting and preserving Traditional Bluegrass Music. Rebel’s current roster includes Larry Sparks, Peter Rowan, Big Country Bluegrass, High Fidelity, The Kody Norris Show, Starlett & Big John, Seth Mulder & Midnight Run and Rrinaco. Known for innovation and excellence since 1960,
Rebel has introduced many of the most important artists of the genre, from the Country Gentlemen and Seldom Scene to Blue Highway, Lonesome River Band and IIIrd Tyme Out. In addition to its cutting edge presence in contemporary Bluegrass, the label has also been a home for legendary traditional artists like Ralph Stanley, Del McCoury, Rhonda Vincent and Dave Evans.
